Bill would override local Texas LGBT legal protections

A bill before the Texas state legislature would give the state the power to nullify municipal ordinances protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Plano currently have such ordinances on the books.

House Bill 2899 is similar to a provision in North Carolina’s controversial “bathroom bill” that nullified the city of Charlotte’s anti-discrimination ordinance. North Carolina immediately saw an economic backlash that forced the Republican legislature to compromise with the Democratic governor.

Note: Employers in the affected cities would remain free to follow their own anti-discrimination policies even if the state legislature decides the cities lack the authority to enforce anti-bias laws. Having a welcoming organizational culture helps recruitment and improves the bottom line.